Former visitor informaiton centre on 39th Ave. (File photo/Vernon Matters)

By Pete McIntyre

Repurposing proposal

Vernon looks at new uses for visitor info centre

Jul 19, 2021 | 6:00 AM

A complete renovation of Vernon’s former visitor information centre on 39th Avenue is estimated to cost over a half million dollars.

City council will discuss options for the building at its meeting today (July 19) with staff recommending the northern part of the building be used for the emergency management program, and the south half be for community purposes like a meeting room and public washrooms, and for storage for Tourism Vernon.

The new City Centre Parkis being constructed on the adjoining former Civic Arena site.

Staff is also seeking council approval for $50,000 for the purchase and installation of a stand-by generator, should the site be used for emergency management purposes.

A report to council says the northern half of the building contains office and meeting space, two washrooms, a large central area, and exterior doors facing 39th Avenue. That portion of the building was renovated in 2014 to accommodate the centralization of the city’s then two Visitor lnformation Centres at a cost of $285,000.

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The southern half of the building is unfinished space. lt is currently used for storage. There are two non-functioning washrooms at the rear of the building, accessed from inside.

The report by Laurie Cordell, Manager Long Range Planning and Sustainability, says a complete renovation of the office could cost up to $542,000.

“Renovating the community room is estimated at $210,000. A Class C estimate was also prepared for the potential public washrooms and submitted with the CHCI grant application. The estimated cost for these washrooms, as a standalone project, totaled $238,000,” Wrote Cordell.

The city has applied for a Canadian Health Communities Initiative grant and will pursue other grants for potential improvements to the building.